Building Better Communities - University of Houston
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The Hines College is committed to supporting our local Houston community by working with community members to develop inclusive design meeting their needs, and then actualizing these visions to become a reality. Along with the Hines College's Community Design Resource Center (CDRC), our students and faculty can make a difference here in Houston, especially in the surrounding Third Ward.

As part of the 2020 DEI Report, the College now hosts an annual community roundtable event to listen to community members and develop student projects that would support them. The Hines College is also striving to capture the stories of our students and faculty's inspiring work to serve our local community better.

Stories of our Work

Jensen

Community Design Resource Center (CDRC)


The mission of the Community Design Resource Center is to enhance the quality of life in low-to-moderate income communities throughout the Houston region through design, research, education and practice.

The Community Design Resource Center works to address issues of community development, design, planning, affordable housing and civic projects in partnership with communities. Since 2005, we have partnered with more than 15 community-based organizations, including the City of Houston, METRO and others. We have collaborated with more than 500 residents and stakeholders; engaged more than 100 students in community-based learning projects and provided 25 summer student internships. We have organized four public exhibits of design work and produced eight design publications in association with our projects.

We completed the first Collaborative Community Design Initiative program in 2009 with partners in four communities for a year, providing comprehensive assistance with goal setting, visioning and implementation strategies.

The Community Design Resource Center’s partnerships have significantly contributed to the public debate on the role of architecture and good design in catalyzing community change. As we move forward, we are designing new ways to engage our community partners and enhance the mutuality, reciprocity and impact of our lives.

For more information, visit the CDRC website at http://cdrchouston.org/

Contact us by e-mail at skrogers@central.uh.edu or call 713-743-2403.